Magister Educationis - MEd / In South Africa and elsewhere all correctional centres offer educational programmes today with the aim of rehabilitating offenders by giving them the opportunity to further their studies and to develop vocational skills. However, reports show that the dropout rate is very high. This study thus explores educators’ perceptions of factors that hinder effective learning in South African correctional centres. It also examines barriers and probes strategies with the aim of finding out how deficiencies may be addressed. To this end the enquiry relied on a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with eleven individual educators.

Magister Legum - LLM / In recent years the issue of medical parole has become a controversial issue in South Africa. Prior to 2012, at which juncture the law governing the release of inmates on grounds of terminal illness was amended, there were cases where the public deemed the law inadequate and susceptible to political interference.1 There can therefore be little doubt that an amendment to the law was opportune to ensure that the release of inmates was based on legitimate medical reasons.

<p>The research comprises an exploratory study of the challenges that offenders face upon release and which contribute to recidivism in the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). The West Coast Medium &lsquo / A&rsquo / Correctional Centre in the Western Cape has been selected as the case study area. Although offenders attend various rehabilitation programmes inside the prison, it has become apparent that upon their release this rehabilitation is not sustained. The qualitative methodology used for this research included semi-structured interviews in order to gather information on the challenges that contribute to recidivism. Offenders, parolees, family members, the Head of Social Reintegration, a social worker, a representative of NICRO, the Chairperson of the Atlantis Community Police Forum, and a spokesperson for SAPS Atlantis were interviewed in order to gather the relevant information. The general findings of the research demonstrate that the adverse socio-economic conditions confronting the offenders after their release from prison are the main barriers to their successful rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The problem is further compounded by the high incidence of criminal activities within the community environment, the influence of gangsterism, peer pressure and substance abuse. Together, these conditions lead to the re-committing of crime, the re-incarceration of former offenders and, ultimately, to a pattern of recidivism.</p>

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2000. / Restricted until November 2001. Bibliography: leaves 241-251.

<p>The research comprises an exploratory study of the challenges that offenders face upon release and which contribute to recidivism in the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). The West Coast Medium &lsquo / A&rsquo / Correctional Centre in the Western Cape has been selected as the case study area. Although offenders attend various rehabilitation programmes inside the prison, it has become apparent that upon their release this rehabilitation is not sustained. The qualitative methodology used for this research included semi-structured interviews in order to gather information on the challenges that contribute to recidivism. Offenders, parolees, family members, the Head of Social Reintegration, a social worker, a representative of NICRO, the Chairperson of the Atlantis Community Police Forum, and a spokesperson for SAPS Atlantis were interviewed in order to gather the relevant information. The general findings of the research demonstrate that the adverse socio-economic conditions confronting the offenders after their release from prison are the main barriers to their successful rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The problem is further compounded by the high incidence of criminal activities within the community environment, the influence of gangsterism, peer pressure and substance abuse. Together, these conditions lead to the re-committing of crime, the re-incarceration of former offenders and, ultimately, to a pattern of recidivism.</p>

M.A. / The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has adopted legislation that advocates for the rehabilitation and humane treatment of offenders. However, high incidences of assault and inhumane treatment of inmates by correctional officials were reported between 2005 and 2006. Furthermore the statistics of recidivism in South African Correctional Institutions is estimated to be more than 50% indicating that the rehabilitation of inmates in correctional institutes is of limited success. The aim of this study is to provide some insight into the ill-treatment of offenders as well as the rationale behind the high rate of recidivism in the South African Correctional institution by exploring the attitudes of correctional officials towards the rehabilitation and humane treatment of offenders. Understanding the attitudes of the correctional officials could be a crucial first step in understanding the ill-treatment and abuse of offenders by correctional officials and the limited success of offender rehabilitation as these attitudes have the potential to promote or hinder the successful implementation of the new legislation in this regard. An exploratory research survey was conducted among a sample of correctional officials at Leeuwkop Correctional Institution. The sample consisted of 121 male and 61 female correctional officials. The participants were selected from all major racial groups in South Africa (black, white, coloured and indian). Data was collected by means of a survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed by the researcher to elicit the overall attitude of correctional officials towards rehabilitation and humane treatment of offenders (whether it was positive or negative). In addition the factors that could potentially influence the attitude of correctional officials towards rehabilitation and humane treatment of offenders were also investigated. The results revealed that correctional officials have an overall positive attitude towards rehabilitation and humane treatment of offenders. Furthermore it was revealed that factors like gender, age, educational qualification, work experience and the type of offender under the correctional officials’ care have no impact on the attitudes of correctional officials towards rehabilitation and humane treatment of offenders. It was noted that some of these factors have no influence on the attitude of correctional officials when examined individually, however when some of the factors are correlated they have an impact on the attitude of correctional officials.

Magister Artium - MA / Recidivism, the tendency to revert to crime upon release from prison, seems to be an uncontrollable phenomenon as inmates keep on re-offending, which impacts negatively on the already overcrowded correctional centres in South Africa. Life in prison is harsh and overpopulation leads to numerous communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other sexuality transmitted infections. Offenders participate in various rehabilitation programmes during their incarceration. However, the challenge is to sustain these rehabilitation efforts after their discharge from prison. Offenders released into society face numerous obstacles such as the need for employment, food, shelter, and the stigma of having been imprisoned. The community is reluctant to receive perpetrators back into society after their release from prison. Consequently, ex-offenders struggle to find employment because of this stigma, which often translates into family break-ups. They are then expected to invent new ways of making a living and surviving without any help from society; in, they resort to crime, which in turn results in recidivism. The research comprises an exploratory study of the challenges that offenders face upon release and which contribute to recidivism in the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). The West Coast Medium ‘A’ Correctional Centre in the Western Cape has been selected as the case study area. Although offenders attend various rehabilitation programmes inside the prison, it has become apparent that upon their release this rehabilitation is not sustained. The qualitative methodology used for this research included semi-structured interviews in order to gather information on the challenges that contribute to recidivism. Offenders, parolees, family members, the Head of Social Reintegration, a social worker, a representative of NICRO, the Chairperson of the Atlantis Community Police Forum, and a spokesperson for SAPS Atlantis were interviewed in order to gather the relevant information. / South Africa

This paper examines the plight of the incarcerated mentally ill. After a consideration of the historical factors which have contributed to the current philosophy and pattern of services throughout North America, and specifically in British Columbia, the paper reports on a qualitative study using participant observation, informal and formal interviews, and Strauss' Constant Comparative Methods which was undertaken to identify the needs of the mentally ill individuals who are serving a term of imprisonment in the Health Care Centre of the Lower Mainland Regional Correctional Centre. Altogether there were eighteen formal participants. They included six mentally ill offenders, six correctional personnel, and six health care professionals. A critical analysis of the major findings -alienation, lack of organizational commitment, and the incongruencies between our social policies and practices - provided the basis for program recommendations. The challenge lies in the building of a vision that values humane treatment for the marginal members of our society. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

Thesis (MEd. (Adult Education)) --University of Limpopo, 2014 / This mini-dissertation is about educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult prisoners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. It is a study of grade twelve (12) learners. The aim of the study is to get an insight into educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult learners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. This study has attempted to contribute towards solutions to educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult learners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. The management of Kutama-Sinthumule and the Department of Correctional Services were made aware of the problems that young adult prisoners face while doing grade twelve (12) in that prison. In order to achieve the aims outlined above, I formulated the following main research question: What are the educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult Prisoners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre? I tried to answer the question outlined above by undertaking an explorative study which has elements of needs assessment and case study. I have decided to undertake an explorative study because very little is known about educational challenges facing prisoners prior to this research. Since the study has elements of needs assessment, the situation of grade twelve (12) young adult prisoners and values of an education system with desired outcomes was looked against. The needs are stated by grade twelve (12) learners; their educators; their facilitators; and the coordinator of the programme in relation to the system. I have decided to select grade twelve (12) learners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre as my case. There are other educational programmes at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre, but I have decided to concentrate on a grade twelve programme. I have decided to undertake a case study because a case study promotes a better understanding of a practice or issue and facilitates informed decision making. Chapter two outlines the theoretical framework of the study. I began chapter two by defining important concepts. The concepts such as Prisoner; Prison; and Young Adult are defined thoroughly. I formulated assumptions about what could be educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult learners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. I read documents and conducted exploratory interviews with grade twelve learners, educators and other role players at Kutama-Sinthumule, hence I identified the following educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) learners at the Correctional Centre: lack of access to the internet; lack of resources; lack of motivation; communicating in the medium of instruction; shortage of better trained staff; overcrowded classrooms; insufficient study time; duration of the programme; shortage of staff; and insufficient time allocated to lessons. In chapter three, I describe the design of the study. The main focus of this chapter was to discuss the two routes of data collection. The first route had to do with reviewing relevant documents from the Department of Correctional Services and operational policies and procedures at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. The second route has to do with the data that has been collected in the field using different data collection instruments. How data has been analyzed using a data matrix is also shown in this chapter. The chapter concludes by presenting ethical considerations. Chapter four begins by highlighting the setting of the study. It goes on to describe the town of Louis Trichardt where Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre is situated. It further gives a brief history of the town. The Climate, Geography, Demography, Population, Key Statistics, Name change, and Economy are outlined in this chapter. This chapter also presents the findings of the study. I have also outlined in detail the views of the interviewees in relation to the critical factors of this study. A description of subjects offered for this grade twelve programme is done in this chapter. The chapter concludes by discussing the findings of this study. Chapter five presents the final recommendations, conclusion, and reflections of this study. This chapter harmonizes information from all the previous chapters in discussing educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult prisoners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. The chapter also suggests possible solutions to these educational challenges facing grade twelve (12) young adult learners at Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre. The chapter concludes by making recommendations for furtherstudy, as education and its related challenges in the prisons seems to be under-researched, particularly for grade twelve (12) young adult learners.

Text in English / While correctional centres are often associated with men, there is an increasing number of incarcerated women who have rehabilitation needs that are specific to their gender. Historically correctional centres have responded through offering rehabilitative programmes that stereotyped women offenders into socially constructed gender roles. Using a feminist criminology framework, the current study aimed to explore the subjective inner experience and meaning given by women classified as maximum security offenders to the rehabilitation processes in the Johannesburg Correctional Centre. Data was collected from 18 incarcerated women who are and were once classified as maximum offenders. A narrative analysis was used in understanding the data from the interviews. Women’s narratives in the current study reflect unique and common experiences with rehabilitation in the correctional centre. Being a maximum security offender presents a challenge of further perceived discrimination, alienation and isolation amongst women who describe limited involvement in rehabilitation as a result of this identity. Also highlighted in the study are challenges in implementing gender sensitive programming in a penal system infused with power dynamics; a discipline and punish narrative; patriarchy; binary view of gender and ethnocentrism. A continued reinforcement of traditional structures, systems and practices that seek to perpetuate gendered form of existence is also evident in the current study. Therefore, a need for the reformation of the correctional centre context and culture is suggested so as to respond in a manner that is not only gender sensitive, but also inclusive enough in recognising both in theory and in practice, the various locations of inequality in society that influence female criminality. The principle of Ubuntu demonstrated through caring, compassion and hospitability which empowers and edifies the other person through interrelatedness is one of the promising initiatives that can guide correctional centres and society in the implementation of gender sensitive programmes, while paying attention to the socio-cultural dynamics that influence women’s pathways to crime. / Psychology / D. Phil. (Psychology)